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"Pick up" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "recoger", and "select" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "seleccionar". Learn more about the difference between "pick up" and "select" below.
pick up(
pihk
uhp
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (to collect)
a. recoger
Can you pick up your suit from the dry cleaner?¿Puedes recoger tu traje de la tintorería?
I'll pick Mom up from the airport.Yo recojo a mamá del aeropuerto.
c. pasar a buscar
If you need a ride, I can pick you up.Si necesitas un aventón, puedo pasarte a buscar.
3. (to answer)
4. (to learn)
b. agarrar (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
It was easy for her to pick up knitting.Le fue fácil agarrar el tejido.
5. (to arrest)
a. detener
The thief was hiding nearby until the police came and picked him up.El ladrón estaba escondiendo por aquí cerca hasta que vino la policía y lo detuvo.
b. agarrar
After a massive search, they finally picked up the criminals.Tras una búsqueda exhaustiva, finalmente agarraron a los criminales.
b. agarrar (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
My computer doesn't pick up your Wi-Fi.Mi computadora no agarra tu red inalámbrica.
7. (to restart)
a. retomar
Can we pick up the conversation where we left off?¿Podemos retomar la conversación donde nos quedamos?
8. (illness)
a. pillar
You're more likely to pick up that disease in hot places.Es más probable que pilles la enfermedad en lugares calurosos.
10. (colloquial) (to seduce)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. ligar con (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
He picked up a girl at the bar last night.Ligó con una chica en el bar anoche.
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
11. (to improve)
12. (to strengthen)
a. levantarse
The wind's picking up; it's going to be a rough crossing.El viento se levanta; la travesía será dura.
a. contestar
I tried ringing my aunt several times, but she didn't pick up.Traté varias veces de llamar a mi tía, pero no contestó.
14. (to continue)
a. continuar
I found it impossible to pick up where I was before the interruption; I was too upset.Me fue imposible continuar por donde iba antes de la interrupción; estaba muy alterado.
select(
suh
-
lehkt
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to choose)
a. seleccionar
She was selected for the post from among dozens of candidates.Fue seleccionada para el puesto de entre docenas de candidatos.
c. escoger
You may select any of the remaining three prizes.Puede escoger cualquiera de los tres premios restantes.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. selecto
We use our most select grapes for this vintage.Utilizamos nuestras uvas más selectas para este reserva.
b. de primera calidad
The store offers a wide range of the most select cheeses.La tienda ofrece una amplia selección de quesos de primerísima calidad.
a. selecto
It is a very select club. Businessmen and politicians are among its members.Se trata de un club muy selecto. Entre sus miembros se cuentan hombres de negocios y políticos.
b. de élite
She attended a select boarding school, where she received the finest education.Asistió a un internado de élite, donde recibió la mejor educación.
c. exclusivo
They live in one of Paris's most select neighborhoods.Viven en uno de los barrios más exclusivos de París.
a. elegido
They were among the select few allowed into that secret society.Ellos estaban entre los pocos elegidos que formaban parte de esa sociedad secreta.
b. privilegiado
Only a select few can afford that watch.Solo una minoría privilegiada se puede permitir ese reloj.
c. selecto
We played for a select audience of VIPs and dignitaries.Tocamos ante un selecto público de personas VIP y dignatarios.
d. distinguido
That restaurant had always a very select clientele.Ese restaurante tuvo siempre una clientela muy distinguida.
